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Hemet council declares portion of city yard at 3777 Industrial Avenue surplus, opening market talks
Summary
Council declared the eastern third of the city yard at 3777 Industrial Avenue surplus under the California Surplus Land Act to allow staff to solicit interest from buyers while complying with state-mandated affordable-housing notice and negotiation requirements.
The Hemet City Council on May 12 adopted a resolution declaring a portion of city property located at 3777 Industrial Avenue surplus under the California Surplus Land Act, clearing the way for staff to issue the required notice and, if no affordable-housing developer shows interest, pursue market negotiations with commercial buyers.
City Attorney presented the staff report noting the parcel is an eastern third of the city yard that the city no longer needs for operations. Staff said the surplus-land process requires a 60-day notice and an opportunity for affordable-housing developers to respond; if a bona fide affordable-housing offer arrives, the city must engage in good-faith negotiations and may be required to record a covenant (staff noted typical HCD practice includes a 10% affordable set-aside covenant if housing is pursued).
Why it matters: Declaring surplus land can unlock redevelopment opportunities and increase the city's tax base, but state law requires notice and a right-of-first-negotiation process that can constrain near-term market sales. Staff said their initial negotiating position will seek replacement of any city yard function if the parcel is sold.
Council action: After questions about the process and conditions such as replacement of the city yard, the council voted 4-0 to declare the property surplus and directed staff to proceed with the surplus land act steps.
Next steps: Staff will issue the required notices under the Surplus Land Act and return to council for real-estate negotiations if an interested party emerges.
